Hands-on Labs PHY 110 Online Name: Measurements: Understanding Significant Figur

Question

Hands-on Labs PHY 110 Online Name: Measurements: Understanding Significant Figures and Errors Part 1: Significant Figures The objective of this exercise is to understand the concept of significant figures in a measurement. Procedure Utilize the metric ruler shown below to measure the length of the pencil Express your result in centimeters. [Note: the longer lines represent centimeters; the shorter lines millimeters or 0.1 cm) 1) represert 0 cm 1 2 34 Pencil Length: 2) Using this ruler, how many digits can you read with certainty? Explain your reasoning.

Explanation / Answer

part 1:

from the image, it can be seen that

the length of the pencil is 2.5 cm

part 2:

1 digit can be read with certainty. the decimal place has uncertainty but significant.

so reading can lie any where between 2.4 cm and 2.6 cm.

significant figures:

Q3.

part a: 4.35 m :

4.3 are known with certainty.

5 is estimated.

part b:

0.009340 :

0.00934 are known with certainty.

the last digit 0 is estimated.

part c:

3400 km :

34 are known with certainty.

last two digits are estimated.

part d;

1.38*10^3 m/s:

1.3 are known with certainty.

last digit 8 is estimated.

part 2:

precision and accuracy:

accuracy: the readings are accurate when the readings are matching with true value.

precise: the readings are precise if all the readings are closely matching . precision is independent of accuracy.

Q1.

results of part A are not accurate as the results are not matching bull’s eye which is the required target.

Q2.

results from part A are precise as readings are matching each other closely.

Q3.

results from part B are not accurate as the results are not matching bull’s eye which is the required target.

Q4.

results from part B are not precise as the readings are not matching each other closely.

Q5.

results from part A are precise i.e. they convey that the process involved is correct but offset requirement to match the required target is needed.

results from part B are neither accurate nor precise and hence need process improvement .

Q6. results can be precise but not accurate as precision is independent of accuracy.

precision is when results are closely matching each other and they need not be matching the target value.

Q7.

skill and technique influence both accuracy and precision.

to achieve the target i.e. hitting the bull’s eye , skill is needed.

to achieve precision i.e. to hit the target in multiple attempts , correct techniques are required.

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